Is Vrbo Falling Behind? How AI Can Help You Stay Ahead

VRBO's performance so far this year -and how to use AI to adapt without feeling overwhelmed

Rental Scale-Up just released a sharp analysis of Vrbo’s Q1 2025 performance. While it didn’t make major headlines, the undercurrents are significant-especially if you manage a short-term rental, boutique hotel, or guest-focused lodging business.

Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how you can use AI to stay ahead (without tech overload).

Vrbo’s Q1 in a Nutshell: Not a Crash, But a Contraction

Growth? Yes-but not leading the pack.
Vrbo’s bookings grew only modestly in Q1, trailing behind Airbnb (+8% YoY) and Booking.com (+12% in alternative accommodations). The platform is feeling the effects of a U.S. travel slowdown more than its rivals.

Urban supply and shorter stays are winning.
A third of Vrbo’s growth came from multi-unit, urban properties-marking a shift away from its traditional whole-home, family-focused image. Shorter, high-turnover stays are becoming the new norm.

Too much reliance on U.S. travelers = risk.
With two-thirds of bookings coming from the U.S., Vrbo was hit hard…